Bob Cummings' fourth TV show wasn't a success despite a concept and set up very close to I Dream of Jeannie. Cummings is a shrink who has to look after a beautiful robot (Julie Newmar); he has a lecherous best friend (Jack Mullaley) who tries to have sex with the robot.
It doesn't work. In part because of the set up - Cummings has no real investment in the robot, a friend just asks him to help out and he agrees because he wants to teach her to be the perfect woman and not talk back. That's a horrible goal, not very funny - and doesn't feel real coming from a character played by someone as likeable and breezy as Cummings.
It's also weak because the robot has no agency. She's got some robot powers but basically does what she's told. Jeannie wanted to be with Master - she had powers but wanted to be there. Samantha in Bewitched wanted to be with Darrin.
I think this could've worked if the set up had been adjusted slightly so Newmar tracked down Cummings, who was shy and retiring, and demanded he teach her how real humans work - the Pinocchio story. You didn't need the scientist character.
The key actors are good - Cummings, Newmar and Mullaley. This could've worked but it doesn't because there's no warmth at the heart of it.
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